Lowell businesses shine in spotlight

LOWELL -- When Westford resident Gnanesh Dholakia was deciding where to open a store selling South Asian clothing and jewelry, he said his thoughts quickly turned to Lowell.

Dholakia, who moved to the U.S. from India in 1979, was familiar with the community through his involvement with the ISSO Swaminarayan Temple on Middlesex Street and felt it was very welcoming to people from many different backgrounds.

"I could see the city had a great ethnic mix and vibrancy," the 56-year-old Dholakia said.

He also liked Lowell's location, which he said is an easy place for people from surrounding communities and states to get to.

In February, Dholakia opened Bollywood Fashions at 1270 Westford St., which sells men's and women's clothing from casual to formal, as well as jewelry. The selection includes items ranging from sarees to kurtis (women's tops), as well as Indian necklaces and purses.

Dholakia said his first few months in business have affirmed his decision to open shop in Lowell, as he has received positive feedback from customers.

City officials are also pleased with his choice.

On Thursday, Dholakia and other immigrant entrepreneurs in the city were recognized at the fifth annual "Made in Lowell" event celebrating the flavor they add to the Lowell community and their contributions to the local economy. The event hosted by the city was held at the UMass Lowell Inn & Conference Center.

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Eighteen local businesses set up exhibits to showcase their offerings.

City Manager Bernie Lynch said Thursday's event was a chance to celebrate Lowell's history as a "city of immigrants" where the city's newest members -- whether they're from Southeast Asia, the Caribbean or Iraq -- play a vital role in the community by opening businesses.

"Today this legacy continues and it is integral to our local economy," Lynch said.

Mayor Patrick Murphy said the small businesses started by immigrants are essential to the economy because the city can't rely on large companies moving here and bringing jobs with them.

"We need people who are already here in the community starting businesses themselves," Murphy said.

Other businesses recognized Thursday ranged from the new to mainstays in the city.

Babylon Restaurant, an Iraqi eatery on Merrimack Street, opened a little more than a year ago.

Ahmad Al-Zubaydi, father of Babylon's owner and a political refugee from Iraq, said the city has been very supportive of his daughter's business and the feedback from the community has been very positive.

Al-Zubaydi said in addition to customers of Arabic descent, many veterans who served in Iraq have frequented the restaurant. The restaurant provided guests at the business event with rice pudding with raisins on top.

"I think the future for business here is very good," he said.

Meanwhile, Silva's Mini Market, a Portuguese market at 40 Perry St. that was honored, has been in the city for 26 years.

The most popular items at the story are cheese, figs and canned tuna, said owner Manuel Silva. The items are shipped from mainland Portugal, the Azores, Brazil and Spain, he said.

Torpi Travel on Westford Street was a fourth honoree. The company helps many members of the city's Cambodian community travel back to their home country, as well as other locales across the world.

Also honored at Thursday's event was Mill City Environmental, which was recognized by the Small Business Administration as the 2012 Minority Small Business of the year for Massachusetts and New England.

The company is a full-service environmental firm that provides environmental remediation, soil excavation and abatement services.

Brian Chapman, the president/owner and a Lowell native, said when he met with other regional winners he shared how "the city embraces small businesses, lifts them up and helps them succeed."

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